April 18, 2019 By Debra Schroeder23 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Traveling Well For Less has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Read my disclosure policies.

Everything You Need to Know About the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Despite Ho Chin Minh’s desire that his cremated body’s ashes distributed throughout Vietnam, the Vietnamese government had its own plans.

They sent his body to a lab in Moscow for embalming like Vladimir Lenin. Then erected a massive mausoleum 70 feet high and 135 feet wide to house his body. The Ho Chi Mini Mausoleum opened on August 29, 1975.

Unlike the rest of the mausoleum complex, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is free to visit.

Here are crucial tips you need to know for a successful trip while visiting Hanoi.

Pro-tip: Children under three years old are not allowed to enter the mausoleum.

Getting There

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi.

We walked from the Sofitel Legend Metropole to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was a 35-minute walk from the French Quarter with several interesting buildings along the way.

But Google routes you to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum’s physical location. The building is a quarter of a mile from the entrance to the complex.

The fastest and most efficient way to get to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is to take a cab.

Lines

Thousands of people visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum every year. Some Vietnamese save for years to pay tribute to their departed revered leader.

Yet all the people in line near me were from another country. There was a family from India, a couple from Europe, and a group from Australia. Further ahead in the line were several well behaved preschool school groups.

Lines snake around the complex in Disneyesque fashion. But unlike lines at the Magic Kingdom, these lines move quickly.

The lines reminded me of the thousands that waited to pay respect to John McCain.

The collapsible people herding contraptions (I have no idea what they’re called) kept everyone in neatly formed rows of two lines. The crowd control equipment ensured that no one strayed or ventured where they didn’t belong.

Spacing was wide enough so that you didn’t have to rub shoulders with your sweaty neighbor.

And in the event of rain, the overhead plexi cover shields you from the elements.

If you can’t stand for long periods of time, you may want to skip this attraction. Wheelchair users have to use a manual wheelchair provided by the mausoleum.

Pro-tip: Get on the left side. As you enter the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the left side has front row viewing of Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body.

Skip the Line

Because we walked from the French Quarter we passed the area where tour group buses parked. There was a sign indicating a separate line for appointments.

You may be able to skip the line (part of it and security) if book an appointment. At the time of this posting, I haven’t been able to figure out how to skip the line. I’ll update this post once I uncover the secret.

Entering the Mausoleum

As you approach the mausoleum the number of security guards increase. Instead of a few stationed at various points throughout the line, there are at least 30 guards.

In other words, it is heavily guarded and they ensure that you follow the rules and have proper decorum. After all, you’re entering a tomb.

There are guards at the first steps to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There are guards at the top of the steps before you enter the mausoleum.

Inside the mausoleum, there are guards every 10 feet. And there are four guards at the corners of Ho Chi Minh’s casket.

The interior is dimly lit as it’s a solemn procession as one would expect. You can’t stand, linger, talk, or point. You have to keep moving.

Ho Chi Minh’s body is so well preserved you’d never know he died 50 years ago.

Collecting Your Bags

You can pick up your red bag items after you exit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from the building on your right side. Present your tag to retrieve your items.

The rest of the mausoleum complex allows photos and recording. So you’re free to take pictures and shoot video.

But this part of the complex isn’t free. It costs 40,000 Vietnamese dong per person for entry. Stay tuned for a post about the Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s House on Stilts, One Pillar pagoda, and more.

Because blue bagged items aren’t permitted anywhere in the mausoleum complex, you can only pick these up as you leave.

Conclusion

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi and well worth a visit. Before you plan your trip here’s everything you need to know about the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

It’s free to enter but prepare yourself for long lines. The lines move fast but if you aren’t able to stand for long periods of time you shouldn’t visit.

The fastest way to get to the mausoleum is by taxi. Have your cab drop you off at the Tourist Information Center Mausoleum address.

Be sure to dress appropriately, leave large bags in your hotel, and expect to store your camera.

When entering the line, enter on the left side. It’s the closest to Ho Chi Minh’s body when you enter the mausoleum.

You get about 1 minute or less inside to view the body so you have to decide if a 35 minute or longer wait in line is worth it.

Have you visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum? Any tips you’d like to share?

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Comments

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Love how thorough and easy to read your guide is! I’ve been to HCMC a handful of times, but never visited this particular mausoleum. I’ll def have to check it out next time I’m in that city as you have certainly piqued my interest about it!

I have friends in Vietnam right now and they enjoyed a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, as well as many other amazing sights in Hanoi and around the country. I wish I’d read this earlier so I could have sent this to them – you’ve got great tips for anyone wishing to visit the Mausoleum!

When we were in Hanoi, we never went into the Mausoleum despite running by it almost every day. The two biggest deterrents were the long lines and the fact that we were in running outfits, not suitable for entry. Great tips here and even if you don’t make it inside the Mausoleum, it is quite impressive. Did you get a chance to see the changing of the guards? We saw this unexpectedly and it was quite impressive.

Vietnam is still on the travel wish list. I echo Ho Chi Minh’s desire to have his ashes spread around. Mine will hopefully be left all around the world when I pass. I definitely would not want my body put into a mausoleum. Thanks for the tip that the hours are restricted. Especially if you pay to take a taxi there. Good to remind people about proper dress. I can’t believe what we see people wearing some days into more sacred sites. Thanks for the tip about staying on the left side for the best view. Good tips if we visit Hanoi and want to see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

this is such a huge celebration of a great man’s legacy to his country! I didn’t have the chance to visit this place while in Vietnam. I’m actually surprised that this is not erected in Ho Chi Mihn itself. But I guess the silence and classic city of Hanoi perfectly suits him more!

I’m all about the skip the line option! The security sounds intense, makes me wonder if there have been any attempts to desecrate. Love that the line moves fast, the security sounds like there isn’t much time spent inside

I like that they enforce a dress code to keep everyone respectful when visiting the mausoleum. Hopefully you can figure out the secret to skipping the lines, that sounds like it would be great! It’s cool they kept it free to get in!

I went to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Hanoi on my trip to Vietnam, but I didn’t get in. I guess I need to go back to visit the mausoleum properly. Still, it looked impressive even from the outside.
I appreciate Vietnamese devotion to their beloved leader.

I’ve never been in Hanoi but Vietnam is very high up on my list. If I’d go visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum it would be only out of curiosity. Everything related to Communism or communist leaders makes me sick. Not surprised to see the mausoleum is heavily guarded. I’m sure there are many who would love to see it destroyed. Good to know there is a dressing code for visiting the mausoleum.

It’s so strange to me that viewing a body is one of the most popular ‘attractions’ in Hanoi! Especially given that he wanted to be cremated. I’m not sure I would go and see him but I understand that thousands of local people would want to pay their respects.

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